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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Go Bo Memoriam and Bake Sale Fundraiser

Bo Johnson was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia and he lost the battle against Cancer on September 28, 2012 at the very young age of 13. Before he left this world, he inspired the nation. The disease did not stifle his spirit or his courage. He taught us all to live life to the fullest and enjoy each day. Bo reminded us to love each other, help each other, and to have our neighbor's back. He shared that if you see someone in need, even a stranger, reach out and help. He told us that the entire world is a better place when we care for each other and when we help each other. Bo reminded us what true courage means and how one boy can inspire a multitude with nothing more than a smile and a dream to help others.

In Door County, Wisconsin, where Bo's family is, there is a huge bake sale going on in memory of Bo. All proceeds benefit the Go Bo Foundation paying it forward. 204 cookie decorators in all 50 states and 8 countries have donated 4,547 decorated cookies all coordinated by the incredible Jill of Jill FCS. I am very proud to be one of the cookie decorators that joined this effort.

Donated cookies needed to be 3" in size and in Halloween or Fall theme designs. So I put away my bright colors that I like to work with and made some smaller size cookie cutters and started with some pretty fall colors for my cookie donation.

I started with some fun owls

and then I decided to do some trees for Fall

and some pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns for Halloween

and some Cancer ribbons too

Then I bagged them all up with a note thanking those that were supporting the fundraiser

and I boxed them safely for their long journey to Wisconsin

As most of you know, I lost my father to Cancer and it's been excruciating for me. But to lose a child. I can't even imagine that kind of devastation that Bo's parents went through. I did pretty well while making the cookies, but I was a mess while bagging them. I was flooded with emotion thinking about Bo and his parents. My heart goes out to the family and to the community. Bo's journey touched so many and he will be missed by all.

I can't even imagine what Jill's world looks like right now with all these cookies, but she has given us a few sneak peeks :-)

Thank you to all the cookie decorators and to the absolutely amazing Jill FCS that coordinated this huge effort. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of Bo's legacy.

and a special thank you to Amy of Happy Heart Studios Etsy Shop for making the custom Go Bo digital paper pack for me to use for my blog post today.

No Jill, thank YOU. You are such an inspiration. I don't know how you've stayed on top of all this and coordinated it all with so many cookiers and all the questions and shipping and organizing. I'm just in awe of you all over again!

HI CRISTIN...BO'S MOM ANNIKA HERE....THIS IS SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW TALENTED ALL OF YOU BAKERS ARE!! EVERY TIME I SEE A COOKIE, IT'S MORE GORGEOUS THAN THE 1 BEFORE! I CANNOT THANK ALL OF YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY & YOUR CARING, BY HELPING OUR FOUNDATION RAISE AWARENESS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER & THE NEED TO FIND A CURE, AND TO CONTINUE TO HELP THE KIDS STILL STRUGGLING OUT THERE! WE MAY BE SMALL, BUT ALL THE SMALLS DO ADD UP! WE ARE PART OF THE CURE, NO MATTER WHAT! WE DO MATTER, AND WHAT YOU & ALL THE OTHER COOKIE ARTISTS INVOLVED IN THIS MAGNIFICENT EVENT...A HUGE HUG, AND A HUGE "THANK YOU!" SIMPLY SPEECHLESS...ANNIKA JOHNSON

Oh gosh Annika, you have me in tears. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my little blog. I thank you for the opportunity to do our little part in the fight against Cancer in memory of your beautiful son. You are a warrior of strength.Sending love and hugs and prayers to you and the Door County community.